Inter-device agreement between spectral domain optical coherence tomography, ultrasound biomicroscopy, and gonioscopy in evaluating the iridocorneal angle in normotensive dogs.

BACKGROUND: There has not been a thoroughly reported study of the comparison between spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with both ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and gonioscopy on the evaluation of the iridocorneal angle (ICA) in dogs. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the diagnostic value of SD-OCT for the early detection of narrowing ICA by comparing and assessing inter-device agreement in anterior chamber angle (ACA) measurements obtained by SD-OCT and UBM, and ICA evaluations by gonioscopy. METHODS: A total of 28 eyes from 28 client-owned dogs with normal intraocular pressure were included for examination. The ACA and angle opening distance (AOD) were measured from the SD-OCT and UBM images, and gonioscopy images were analyzed using the ICA grade and ZibWest angle index. RESULTS: The mean ACA and AOD for SD-OCT were 28.31° ± 5.37° and 658.42 ± 219.90 µm, and for UBM, 28.34° ± 5.82° and 859.29 ± 221.80 µm, respectively. The mean difference in ACA between the average values of SD-OCT and UBM measurements was 0.03° with a 95% limit of agreement (LoA) span of 16.2°, indicating positive agreement; that in AOD was 200.85 µm with a 95% LoA span of 1,110.95 µm, indicating poor agreement. The Pearson correlation coefficient of the ACA of SD-OCT and ZibWest indices of gonioscopy was 0.624, indicating strong agreement; that of UBM and gonioscopy was 0.43, indicating moderate agreement. CONCLUSIONS: SD-OCT is well tolerated by canine patients due to its non-contact method and might be an alternative option for early screening of ICA narrowing in clinical settings.

Delayed periocular dermatitis as a rare side-effect of topical anti-glaucoma eyedrop instillation in two Shih-Tzu dogs with atopic dermatitis.

Two Shih-Tzu dogs with atopic dermatitis presented with delayed periocular dermatitis (PD) following the instillation of dorzolamide and dorzolamide/timolol combination eyedrops; the development of dermatologic signs took 94 and 104 d in cases 1 and 2, respectively. Hypersensitivity to anti-glaucoma eyedrops was highly suspected, and treatment was discontinued. Delayed PD was significantly relieved in cases 1 and 2, at days 155 and 64 after discontinuation, respectively. In this study, the clinical characteristics and progression of delayed PD were described to inform clinicians who may encounter this rare side effect.

The effects of Müller-Lyer illusion on toe clearance height in stair ascent.

BACKGROUND: The appearance of a stair can impact the safe negotiation of stair climbing. Increasing toe clearance height is a common strategy for reducing the risk of tripping when stepping onto a raised surface. RESEARCH QUESTION: Can the Müller-Lyer illusion cause people to increase their toe clearance height when walking over a stair? METHODS: Indoors, 15 healthy individuals (9 women and 6 men) walked up a 3-step staircase with each step 60 cm wide, 18 cm tall, and 30.5 cm deep. Outdoors, 253 people walked up a 2-step staircase with each step 6 m wide, 15 cm tall, and 38 cm deep. Four visual conditions were displayed at both the indoor and outdoor locations: fins out, fins in, line, and control. RESULTS: While the fins out stairs were perceived taller than all the other displayed stair conditions, the toe clearance height was not different between display conditions when tested indoors. However, toe clearance height was greater in the fins out condition when compared to all other conditions for the outdoor stairs location. SIGNIFICANCE: In the natural environment when walkers were oblivious to themselves being filmed and not having any knowledge of the task demand, the Müller-Lyer illusion significantly impacted their toe clearance height.

Evaluation of ocular surface parameters in dogs with and without meibomian gland dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Interest in meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is growing in veterinary medicine. However, research on MGD in dogs is lacking. The aims of this study were to compare the interferometry grades, tear meniscus height (TMH) and non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT) grades between dogs with and without MGD. METHODS: Routine ophthalmic examination, interferometry, NIBUT assessment, TMH measurement and meibography were performed. Age and Schirmer tear test-1 (STT-1) results were compared between the control and MGD groups using Student's t-test. Interferometry grades, NIBUT grades and TMH were compared between the two groups using Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in age between the two groups (p = 0.279). STT-1 (p = 0.024), interferometry (p = 0.004) and NIBUT grades (p = 0.012) were significantly lower in the MGD group than in the control group. No significant difference in TMH values (p = 0.587) was observed between the two groups. While the control group included 18 and seven eyes in meiboscore 0 and 1, in MGD group, 12, eight, five and three eyes were included in meiboscore 0, 1, 2 and 3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Low interferometry and NIBUT grades were associated with MGD, suggesting decreased meibum and disrupted tear film quality. TMH did not differ between the two groups. Meibography could aid in the diagnosis of MGD in severe cases, although it could not detect early MGD in the dogs in this study.

Quantification of tear glucose levels and their correlation with blood glucose levels in dogs.

BACKGROUND: No previous studies have quantified tear glucose (TG) levels in dogs or compared changes in TG and blood glucose (BG) concentrations. OBJECTIVE: To quantify TG concentration and evaluate its correlation with BG level in dogs. METHODS: Twenty repetitive tests were performed in alternate eyes of four dogs, with a minimum washout period of 1 week. Tears and blood were collected at 30-min intervals with successive glucose injections (1 g/kg) every 30 min. Cross-correlations of BG and TG levels were assessed. The delay and association between TG and corresponding BG levels were analysed for each dog; samples were collected at 5-min intervals. The tears were collected using microcapillary tubes. Collected tears and blood were analysed for glucose concentration using a colorimetric assay and commercially available glucometer, respectively. RESULTS: The average baseline BG and TG levels were 4.76 ± 0.58 and 0.39 ± 0.04 mmol/L, respectively. Even with highly fluctuating BG levels, a significant cross-correlation coefficient (r = 0.86, p < 0.05) was observed between changes of BG and TG levels. The delay time between BG and TG levels was 10 min. On average, BG levels were 16.34 times higher than TG levels. There was strong correlation between BG and TG levels (rs  = 0.80, p < 0.01). Significant differences in TG concentrations between normoglycaemia, mild hyperglycaemia, and severe hyperglycaemia were found (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Canine TG concentrations have not been quantified previously. Our findings suggest preliminary data for future research on TG levels in dogs and show TG measurement could be used to screen for diabetes mellitus in dogs.

Comparison of iridocorneal angle parameters measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography and ultrasound biomicroscopy in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the measurements of iridocorneal angle parameters between spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED AND PROCEDURES: A total of 47 eyes of dogs were scanned at the temporal limbus using SD-OCT and UBM. Iridocorneal angle (ICA) and angle opening distance (AOD) were measured from the obtained images accordingly. The intra-observer and inter-observer reproducibility were evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. To evaluate intra-observer reproducibility, measurements of the first and second grading from the first examiner were compared. To evaluate inter-observer reproducibility, measurements between the two examiners were compared. Agreement between ICA and AOD for SD-OCT and UBM was evaluated using Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: In the first grading, the mean ICA and AOD for SD-OCT were 31.4 ± 6.4° and 641.4 ± 270.8 µm, respectively. The mean ICA and AOD for UBM were 32.0 ± 4.8° and 700.4 ± 238.8 µm, respectively. For ICA and AOD measurements, intra-observer reproducibility was excellent for both devices, whereas inter-observer reproducibility was excellent for SD-OCT and good for UBM. The mean difference in ICA between SD-OCT and UBM was 0.6° with a limit of agreement (LoA) span of 18.9°. The mean difference in AOD between SD-OCT and UBM was 58.9 µm with a LoA span of 804.4 µm. CONCLUSIONS: Spectral domain optical coherence tomography is an effective non-contact imaging modality for the evaluation of canine iridocorneal angle parameters in a clinical setting. Reproducibility of measurements obtained is comparable or superior to UBM, but values obtained by SD-OCT and UBM for AOD are not interchangeable between devices.

Evaluation of the upper and lower proximal lacrimal canaliculi using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in normal Beagle dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the feasibility of visualizing upper and lower proximal lacrimal canaliculi (LC) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). ANIMALS STUDIED: Eight eyes of four normal Beagle dogs. PROCEDURES: To obtain an upper proximal LC image, the head was turned in the opposite direction to the eye being imaged, and the medial part of the upper eyelid was everted to expose the LC. To obtain a lower LC image, the lower eyelid was everted just below the punctum. Using "angle mode", the scan line was placed parallel on the long axis of the LC. The inlet LC width (LCW) was measured. Artificial tears (AT) were instilled, and LCW was compared before and after AT instillation. Additionally, the return time to the initial LCW inlet width was recorded. RESULTS: Before AT instillation, there was a significant difference between the mean upper and lower LCW (91.8 ± 3.2 µm and 110.1 ± 8.4 µm, respectively). After AT instillation, the mean upper and lower LCW were 236.9 ± 27.7 µm and 238.4 ± 30.4 µm, respectively. Significant differences in the LCW before and after AT instillation in both the upper and lower LCWs were observed. The mean return time of the upper and lower LCW to their initial widths after AT instillation was within 4 min. CONCLUSIONS: Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was an effective method for providing high-resolution images of the upper and lower proximal LC. This method enables observation of LC changes after instillation of eyedrops in veterinary clinical practice.

Reference values for selected dry eye tests in normal Beagle dogs: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Dry eye disease (DED) cannot be diagnosed by a single test because it is a multifactorial disorder of the ocular surface. Although studies on various dry eye tests (DETs) in dogs have been reported, standard criteria have not been established except for the Schirmer tear test 1 (STT-1). OBJECTIVES: To establish reference values for DETs in dogs with normal STT-1 values (≥ 15 mm/min) and to analyze the correlation between DETs. METHODS: The STT-1 was performed in 10 healthy Beagle dogs (20 eyes). After 20 min, interferometry (IF) for estimating the lipid layer thickness (LLT) of the tear film, tear meniscus height (TMH), non-invasive tear breakup time (NIBUT), and meibomian gland loss rate of the upper eyelid (MGLRU) and lower eyelid (MGLRL), were measured using an ocular surface analyzer. RESULTS: Mean values for STT-1, TMH, and NIBUT were as follows: 21.7 ± 3.4 mm/min, 0.41 ± 0.21 mm, and 19.1 ± 9.5 sec, respectively. The most frequent LLT range, measured by IF, was 30-80 nm (11 eyes), followed by 80 nm (5 eyes) and 80-140 nm (4 eyes). MGLRU ≤ 25% was measured in 11 eyes and 26%-50% in 9 eyes; MGLRL ≤ 25% in 8 eyes and 26%-50% in 12 eyes. Besides positive correlation between TMH and NIBUT (P = 0.038), there were no significant associations between DETs. CONCLUSIONS: Data obtained in this study provided normative references that could be useful for diagnosing DED and for further research into correlation between DETs in dogs with DED.

The feasibility of clinical evaluation for anterior uveitis through spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical application of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) for anterior uveitis in dogs. Animals and procedures Client-owned dogs presenting with anterior uveitis and clinically healthy dogs were enrolled in this study. Included eyes were divided into 5 groups by flare grade and 3 groups by cell grade through slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Each eye was examined using SD-OCT following slit-lamp biomicroscopy. The ratio of aqueous signal intensity to air signal intensity, which is called the aqueous-to-air relative intensity (ARI) index, was used to evaluate the flare grade. Cell number, central corneal thickness (CCT), and the presence of keratic precipitates (KPs) were analyzed on SD-OCT. The OCT parameters, including ARI index, cell number, and CCT, were compared to the slit-lamp clinical flare and cell grade. RESULTS: Thirty-six eyes with anterior uveitis and 27 healthy eyes were enrolled. The ARI index showed a significant correlation with clinical flare grade (rs  = 0.811, p < .001). In multiple regression analysis, the ARI index and CCT showed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.258, p = .044). The number of cells on SD-OCT significantly increased with cell grade on slit-lamp biomicroscopy (rs  = 0.653, p < .001). The clinical flare grade and CCT were significantly correlated in the partial correlation analysis after controlling for age (partial correlation coefficient = 0.471, p = .002). KPs were observed in 61% of the eyes with flare using SD-OCT (22/36 eyes). CONCLUSIONS: Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography could provide quantitative information, including the ARI index, cell counts, and CCT in dogs. SD-OCT is an auxiliary modality for slit-lamp biomicroscopy when evaluating anterior uveitis in dogs.

The association of topical flurbiprofen with the incidence of postoperative glaucoma after phacoemulsification in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between topical administration of flurbiprofen plus corticosteroids versus corticosteroids alone following phacoemulsification and the development of postoperative glaucoma in dogs. ANIMAL STUDIED: Thirty-eight/eighty-three (45.8%) eyes were prescribed topical flurbiprofen plus corticosteroids immediately postop while 45/83 (54.2%) eyes received topical corticosteroids alone. PROCEDURES: Logistic regression models were performed to analyze the relationship between topical flurbiprofen and development of glaucoma and to predict potential risk factors for postoperative glaucoma occurrence. RESULTS: Eighty-three eyes (65 dogs) were included. The mean age at surgery was 8.2 years, with even gender distribution. Increasing age at the time of surgery significantly increased the probability of postoperative glaucoma occurrence (odds ratio [OR] = 1.344, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.093-1.652; p = 0.005). Glaucoma occurred in 17/83 (20.5%) eyes; of these, 15/38 (39.5%) and 2/45 (4.4%) eyes were prescribed topical flurbiprofen plus corticosteroids and topical corticosteroids alone, respectively. Immediate postoperative use of topical flurbiprofen was significantly associated with an increased probability of postoperative glaucoma occurrence (OR = 19.183 [95% CI 3.367-109.286], p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Immediate postoperative use of topical flurbiprofen was a potential predisposing risk factor for the development of glaucoma following phacoemulsification. Restriction of postoperative use of topical flurbiprofen might decrease the possibility of postoperative glaucoma development in dogs.

Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Adhesive Under Thermal Aging and Their Chemical Degradation Behavior.

Epoxy adhesive was analyzed under long term thermal aging and mechanical properties and chemical degradation were observed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Long term thermal exposure of epoxy causes a noticeable reduction in adhesive properties. We developed a predictive model of temperature and time dependent aging. The temperature dependent aging behavior of epoxy adhesive shows good agreement with conventional Arrhenius equations. Using XPS analysis, we also discovered a correlation between chemical degradation and the adhesive properties. Decay of C-C bonding ratio induced chain-scission of epoxy adhesive; increase of total numbers of C-O and C═O induced oxidation of epoxy adhesive during thermal exposure.

Comparative intraocular pressure measurements using three different rebound tonometers through in an ex vivo analysis and clinical trials in canine eyes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical relevance of intraocular pressure (IOP) measured with three different rebound tonometers in an ex vivo analysis and clinical trials in dogs. ANIMALS AND PROCEDURES: Ex vivo analysis and clinical trials were performed separately. For the ex vivo analysis, eight enucleated eyes were obtained from four Beagle dogs. IOP values measured with TONOVET® (TV-IOP), TONOVET-Plus® (TVP-IOP), and SW-500® (SW-IOP) were compared with manometric IOPs. For clinical trials, each tonometer was evaluated separately, depending on whether TVP-IOP was higher or lower than 14 mm Hg. One-way repeatedmeasures analysis of variance, simple linear regression analysis, and Bland-Altman plots were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: In ex vivo analysis, TV-IOP and TVP-IOP were not significantly different from manometric IOP. However, SW-IOP underestimated IOP compared to manometry. Higher discrepancy was observed in TV-IOP and SW-IOP with an increase in manometric IOP. In clinical trials, no significant difference was observed between TV-IOP (9.73 ± 2.92) and TVP-IOP (11.36 ± 2.23) when TVP-IOP was lower than 14 mm Hg, but SW-IOP (8.70 ± 3.03) was significantly lower than TVP-IOP. TV-IOP (15.96 ± 6.47) and SW-IOP (13.09 ± 3.72) were significantly lower than TVP-IOP (20.08 ± 6.60) when the IOP was higher than 14 mm Hg of TVP-IOP. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the TONOVET® and TONOVET-Plus® provide a useful approach for ex vivo analysis. In clinical trials, results of TV-IOP and SW-IOP were significantly lower than of TVP-IOP when IOP was higher than 14 mm Hg of TVP-IOP. The characteristics of rebound tonometers should be considered in clinical settings.

Inhibition of Photoconversion Activity in Self-Assembled ZnO-Graphene Quantum Dots Aggregated by 4-Aminophenol Used as a Linker.

The aggregation of zinc oxide nanoparticles leads to an increased absorbance in the ultraviolet-visible region by an induced light scattering effect. Herein, we demonstrate the inhibition of photoconversion activity in ZnO-graphene core-shell quantum dots (QD) (ZGQDs) agglomerated by 4-aminophenol (4-AP) used as a linker. The ZnO-graphene quantum dots (QD) aggregates (ZGAs) were synthesized using a facile solvothermal process. The ZGAs revealed an increased absorbance in the wavelengths between 350 and 750 nm as compared with the ZGQDs. Against expectation, the calculated average photoluminescence lifetime of ZGAs was 7.37 ns, which was 4.65 ns longer than that of ZGQDs and was mainly due to the high contribution of a slow (τ2, τ3) component by trapped carriers in the functional groups of graphene shells and 4-AP. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells and photodetectors (PDs) were fabricated to investigate the influence of ZGAs on the photoconversion activity. The photocurrent density of PEC cells with ZGAs was obtained as 0.04 mA/cm2 at 0.6 V, which was approximately 3.25 times lower than that of the ZGQDs. The rate constant value of the photodegradation value of rhodamine B was also decreased by around 1.4 times. Furthermore, the photoresponsivity of the PDs with ZGAs (1.54 µA·mW-1) was about 2.5 times as low as that of the PDs with ZGQDs (3.85 µA·mW-1). Consequently, it suggests that the device performances could be degraded by the inhibition phenomenon of the photoconversion activity in the ZGAs due to an increase of trap sites.

Development of dental hygiene gum for cats considering their anatomical features of dentition.

The purpose of this study was to develop effective dental hygiene chews for cats based on the anatomical features of the dentition and patterns of chewing motion. All cats were volunteered for dental prophylaxis followed by dental impressions using yellow stone and alginate under general anesthesia. Twenty parameters related to dentition were defined in order to compare dental impressions using digital caliper. For the chewing motion study, patterns of chewing motion were identified based on recordings made with a digital camera. Ten cats (4 domestic shorthairs, 2 Russian blues, 1 American shorthair, 1 Persian, 1 Turkish Angora, and 1 Devon Rex) were recruited for the study. The parameters related to teeth and oral size were similar among the studied cats. Chewing motion can be described as more of a guillotine-like motion rather than a crushing motion, with cats chewing 3-7 times before swallowing. The chewing pattern of cats involves shearing for a short period of time followed by immediate swallowing. Therefore, the overall size of the dental hygiene chew could be determined based on the measurement of the oral size for inducing chewing. The surface details of the dental hygiene chew could be designed for prevention and removal of dental calculus and plaque in cats considering the anatomical teeth parameters. Dental hygiene chews customized for cats considering the different anatomical features of their teeth might be effective for oral care.

Simultaneous growth of three-dimensional carbon nanotubes and ultrathin graphite networks on copper.

A new way to simultaneously grow carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and ultrathin graphite on copper (Cu) foils has been investigated. This one-step growth process yields three-dimensional networks of CNTs on graphitic layers (3D CNTs/G) on Cu foils. Their synthesis conditions and growth mechanism are discussed in detail taking their structural properties into account. Individual CNTs and the 3D CNTs/G networks by means of an in-situ conductive atomic force microscope inside a scanning electron microscope are electrically characterized. Time-resolved photoluminescence demonstrated fast charge transfer and high carrier collection efficiency superior to two-dimensional ultrathin graphite only. Their facile and tunable growth and excellent electrical properties show that the 3D CNTs/G are strongly attractive for various applications such as solar cells, sensors, supercapacitors, photovoltaics, power generation, and optoelectronics.

Ultrahigh omnidirectional, broadband, and polarization-independent optical absorption over the visible wavelengths by effective dispersion engineering.

Achieving perfect light absorption at a subwavelength-scale thickness has various advantageous in terms of cost, flexibility, weight, and performance for many different applications. However, obtaining perfect absorbers covering a wide range of wavelengths regardless of incident angle and input polarization without a complicated patterning process while maintaining a small thickness remains a challenge. In this paper, we demonstrate flat, lithography-free, ultrahigh omnidirectional, polarization-independent, broadband absorbers through effective dispersion engineering. The proposed absorbers show day-integrated solar energy absorption up to 96%, which is 32% better than with lossy semiconductor/metal absorbers. The proposed simple yet effective method can be applied to light absorption thin film structures based on various types of highly lossy semiconductor materials, including emerging 2D materials.

Parvalbumin-immunoreactive cells in the olfactory bulb of the pigeon: Comparison with the rat.

The olfactory bulb (OB) shows special characteristics in its phylogenetic cortical structure and synaptic pattern. In the OB, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, is secreted from GABAergic neurons which contain parvalbumin (a calcium-binding protein). Many studies on the distribution of parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in the rodent OB have been published but poorly reported in the avian OB. Therefore, in this study, we compared the structure of the OB and distribution of parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in the OB between the rat and pigeon using cresyl violet staining and immunohistochemistry for parvalbumin, respectively. Fundamentally, the pigeon OB showed layers like those of the rat OB; however, some layers were not clear like in the rat OB. Parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in the pigeon OB were predominantly distributed in the external plexiform layer like that in the rat OB; however, the neurons did not have long processes like those in the rat. Furthermore, parvalbumin-immunoreactive fibres were abundant in some layers; this finding was not shown in the rat OB. In brief, parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons were found like those in the rat OB; however, parvalbumin-immunoreactive fibres were significantly abundant in the pigeon OB compared to those in the rat OB.

Directional aiming bias in golf putting.

Johnston, Benton, and Nishida (2003, Last but not least - Golfers may have to overcome a persistent visuospatial illusion. Perception, 32(9), 1151-1154) reported that when standing sideways to hit a golf ball, it becomes very difficult to see the veridical line of putt to the target and it creates a bias to misread the direction to the right of target. The purpose of the study was to determine if this perceptual aiming bias also impacts putting. A group of expert (N = 24) and novice (N = 24) players performed a perception task of aligning a line on the golf ball towards the target hole and an action task of putting a ball to the target hole located 1 m and 4 m away. Novice players showed large perceptual aiming bias and small action aiming bias of putting. Yet, expert players showed neither bias in perceptual aiming nor in putting. This replicates earlier work (van Lier, van der Kamp, & Savelsbergh, 2011 Perception action in golf putting: Skill differences reflect calibration. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 33(3), 349-369) and was explained by the two-visual-pathway hypothesis. Despite the results showing some favorable support for the two-visual-pathway hypothesis, possible limitations are discussed.

Unveiling the composite structures of emissive consolidated p-i-n junction nanocells for white light emission.

Hybrid organic-Red-Green-Blue (RGB) color quantum dots were incorporated into consolidated p(polymer)-i(RGB quantum dots)-n(small molecules) junction structures to fabricate a single active layer for a light emitting diode device for white electroluminescence. The semiconductor RGB quantum dots, as an intrinsic material, were electrostatically bonded between functional groups of the p-type polymer organic material core surface and the n-type small molecular organic material shell surface. The ZnCdSe/ZnS and CdSe/ZnS quantum dots distributed uniformly and isotropically surrounding the polymer core which in turn was surrounded by small molecular organic materials. In the present study, we have identified the mechanisms of chemical synthesis and interactions of the p-i-n junction nanocell structure through modeling studies by DFT calculations. We have also investigated optical, structural and electrical properties along with the carrier transport mechanism of the light emitting diodes which have a single active layer of consolidated p-i-n junction nanocells for white electroluminescence.

The influence of lower leg configurations on muscle force variability.

The maintenance of steady contractions is required in many daily tasks. However, there is little understanding of how various lower limb configurations influence the ability to maintain force. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the influence of joint angle on various lower-limb constant force contractions. Nineteen adults performed knee extension, knee flexion, and ankle plantarflexion isometric force contractions to 11 target forces, ranging from 2 to 95% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) at 2 angles. Force variability was quantified with mean force, standard deviation, and the coefficient of variation of force output. Non-linearities in force output were quantified with approximate entropy. Curve fitting analyses were performed on each set of data from each individual across contractions to further examine whether joint angle interacts with global functions of lower-limb force variability. Joint angle had significant effects on the model parameters used to describe the force-variability function for each muscle contraction (p < 0.05). Regularities in force output were more explained by force level in smaller angle conditions relative to the larger angle conditions (p < 0.05). The findings support the notion that limb configuration influences the magnitude and regularities in force production. Biomechanical factors, such as joint angle, along with neurophysiological factors should be considered together in the discussion of the dynamics of constant force production.